Indiana Makes Progress on College Affordability, Career Prep

STATEWIDE — Indiana is making progress in helping students prepare for their careers, according to a new Strada Education report. Officials said the Hoosier state is one of five states to reach the advanced level in career coaching for bachelor’s students.

“There’s a lot of emphasis from a policy standpoint with Secretary of Education Katie Jenner and also folks in the legislature,” former Indiana Higher Education Commissioner Chris Lowery said. “What we’ve also seen are leaders in business… and our state colleges and universities, presidents and other leaders really focus on this.”

The report also highlights affordability, saying that low-income students in Indiana can cover school expenses by working fewer than 10 hours a week. It is backed by robust programs like the 21st Century Scholars Program. Lowery points to years of tuition freezes at state universities as a factor keeping costs competitive.

Lowery added Indiana is pushing for more work-based learning, but more businesses need to step up.

“The movement that has occurred has just been really encouraging,” Lowery said. “We need to have more businesses on board offering internships and apprenticeships.”